Monday, August 18, 2008

Perhaps tonight or on Tuesday, the Orioles are set to welcome their 50 millionth fan at Oriole Park at Camden Yards and that would make it the fastest ballpark/stadium in the history of baseball to reach such a milestone.

For their part, the Baltimore Orioles will honor the 50 millionth fan who walks through the gates with $50,000, season tickets for five years and a VIP package that includes seat upgrades, a commemorative jersey and participation in an on-field check presentation.

Fun. The only problem is the Red Sox are in town.

Do you think one of them would get it? Not a chance.

When the Orioles left town last Sunday, they were just 43,290 fans away from reaching the 50 million mark -- meaning the milestone ticket will be ripped either Monday or Tuesday night when the Orioles take on the Red Sox.

"We're going to use the technology available to us to designate a 50 millionth fan the moment the 50 millionth fan enters the ballpark," Bader said. "It will be based on turnstile count and ... essentially it's being in the right place at the right time. We're ready to go to whatever entrance [our technology] tells us that the 50 millionth fan entered."

That fan can expect that their night out at Camden Yards will then be a little different than most. Depending on the time the 50 millionth fan enters the park, they will either be part of a pregame or mid-game on-field ceremony where they will be presented with the $50,000 check.

I see no way that the Baltimore Orioles would give the 50 millionth fan prize to a member of the Evil Empire 1A (aka the Red Sox). Stranger things have happened, but I just don't see it taking place.